Best 4K camcorder 2018-2019 Under 100/200,We spent more hours on research, videography, and editing, to review the top choices for this wiki. Whether you are looking for a cheap and compact camcorder for shooting family events and vacation shots, or are a budding JJ Abrams wanting professional-level results from an HD video camera, Action and vlogging Camera 2018.

we’ve got you covered. Our selection includes models covering the whole spectrum of needs and desires. Best budget action camera 2018 Under 100

Just like any other camera, the camcorder market is quite large and saturated, and while the companies like Canon, Sony, and Panasonic have had their domains set up in this department too, people still end up getting confused because there’s so much to choose from.

In order to make sure that the readers don’t face a lot of confusion while selecting the best 4K camcorders, they are looking for in the market.

The list comprises of ten of the best 4K camcorders of 2018-19 on the market, and while you may think that they are expensive, most of the ones we are reviewing are every bit as worth.

Top 18 Best 4K Camcorder 2018-2019

Best budget action camera 2018 Under 100

Canon VIXIA HF R700

Canon has created quite a name for itself in the camera industry, their reach spreads far and wide, it’s overdoing, the VIXIA HF R700 is here to make a statement.

It’s one of the affordable camcorders available in the market, and while it may not be giving you 4K video recording, do keep in mind that 4K recording isn’t as easily accessible as some may think, and even the 4K video recorded on smartphones doesn’t look as good.

This camcorder tops up at 1080p at 60 frames per second, and while it may sound underwhelming to some, wait till you hear the good things about this camcorder. For starters, it has a fantastic 57x zoom, and while some cameras ruin the video when zooming in, the powerful zoom on this retains everything.

While the camcorder doesn’t really have a lot of advanced features, it is the basic amount of features that work together so well, creating one of a kind video recording experience that you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Seriously, you could go ahead and create your very own short films on this camera, and they would turn out to be amazing. After all, a camera is half as good as the person using it.

Needless to say, for your family outing, or events, the Canon VIXIA HF R700 camcorder is perhaps one of the best options for you. It has got a fantastic zoom, amazing video quality, great set of features, amazing battery life, and a really good UI that’s both intuitive and refreshed.

The only real thing that’s lacking from this camcorder is the fact that this doesn’t come with built-in WiFi.

Pros

Excellent video quality. The 57x advanced zoom is one of the best we have seen. Intuitive and easy to use interface. Great battery life.

Sony FDRAX53/B 4K

$999.68$848.00Free shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

Sony has had quite an illustrated career in the camera industry, they have been around since the time small cassettes were used to record videos. Decades later, Sony has become one of the leading manufacturers of the flagship camcorders.

Today, we have the fantastic Sony FDRAX53/B on our hand, and right out of the bad, we would like to let you know that this camcorder is capable of recording videos in stunning 4K, however, there is a tradeoff in that, something we’ll discuss later.

Considering how this is a 4K capable camera, the overall footprint is larger than what we normally see on the other camcorders, but it’s not overwhelmingly large and uncomfortable. In addition to that, the overall construction speaks quality and feels premium, something we’ve expected from Sony.

Do keep in mind that Sony isn’t trying to replace any of their current camcorders with this model, it’s just a standalone product available in the market, and it’s actually doing quite well despite the higher price tag.

This prosumer grade camcorder welcomes you with a lot of features, you are getting a well-made ring that is used to control a lot of features such as the zoom, shutter speed, IRIS, focus, shutter speed, and other similar features to begin with.

Another great thing about this camcorder is obviously the fact that you’re also getting WiFi and NFC built right into it, and a nice feature allows you to connect multiple Sony camcorders together, and shoot simultaneously, while it may sound like a gimmick, it’s a great feature that can result in some incredibly shot footage.

Overall, the Sony FDRAX53/B is an amazing video camera, and while it may seem that the 4K is the selling point, the camcorder records amazing even with the smaller resolutions, making it one of the best video cameras in the market.

Pros

Amazing video quality on all resolutions. Feature packed with pretty much everything you’d need. Solid, premium construction. Slow motion, as well as time lapse, is available. Solid battery life. Optical image stabilization.

Panasonic HC-VX981K

$897.99Free shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

We are standing at a point where seeing some sort of revolution in video cameras doesn’t really seem possible. The main reason behind that is rather simple, video cameras have evolved a lot, and currently, the amount of features they are offering are being recycled by every other manufacturer, as a matter of fact, in every other camera too.

The Panasonic HCVX981K Ultra HD is basically another camcorder on the list that comes with the support for 4K video recording, and while 4K is still not a thing that people can use comfortably, it’s nice to have that feature on board just in case.

The overall video quality of this camera remains impressive, with a total of 18.91 megapixels in effect, it is one of the best video cameras that we have managed to test to that. There are a lot of new features including the amazing Panasonic picture-in-picture feature that lets you have a great control over the camera, and some of the other notable features to begin with.

You’re also getting a pretty solid construction, and built in WiFi, allowing you a proper control over your video camera, just the way people prefer. However, not everything remains good with this video camera as there are some downsides to it as well.

The battery, especially when recording the 4K video lasts only less than an hour, and that is something disappointing. Other than that, we really don’t have a lot of complaints with this camcorder as pretty much everything is spot on.

Overall, we have absolutely no complaints regarding the feature set, and believe that his video camera is one of the best in the market. Yes, there are some downsides like the average battery life, but overcome that and you’ve got yourself a pretty amazing video camera.

Pros

Great set of features including build in WiFi. Amazing video quality even if you’re not recording in 4K. The picture-in-picture feature is a nice inclusion. Great build quality, with appropriate handling.

Canon VIXIA HF G20

$819.95

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

Canon has a pretty decent ensemble of video cameras, and right now, we are looking at another one from the VIXIA series. The G20 HD Camcorder is basically a higher end model from Canon that is pulling all the stops when it comes to being one of the best 4K camcorders that are available in the market.

The video camera offers the same build quality that you normally see in the high-end video cameras, and that’s a good thing. You won’t be feeling any of the cheap materials that the companies usually cram in whenever they feel like. It feels good that Canon has decided to stick with the traditional design that is well known to the VIXIA series.

Moving on, the performance side of things remains pretty good, for those wondering, megapixel count really isn’t the biggest concern with video cameras mainly because you’re not going to use them for stills.

The camera is able to record videos at full HD, and while that may sound underwhelming to some, it’s actually more than enough, as this is the resolution most people are aiming at these days.

The video quality is actually pretty nice, and you have got yourself some nice controls in the camera as well, while nothing is all that flashy in the first place, Canon has managed to keep things simple, and well respected as well.

The camera can also record videos directly into the 32 gigs of flash memory, and in addition to that, you also have 2 dedicated memory card slots for added storage.

Overall, the Canon VIXIA HF G20 HD Camcorder is a well-rounded video camera, and while some of the basic features such as WiFi, and GPS are missing out of it, the overall experience and the performance of the camera remains unmatched, thanks to the amazing hardware that goes into it.

Pros

Brilliant performance in all the light situations. Tried and tested design language and build quality. Videos come out beautiful. Plenty of storage options.

Sony HDRCX405

Too low to displayFree shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

Sony is back again with another amazing video camera, and this time, we are looking at the aptly named Sony HD Video Recording HDRCX405 Handycam Camcorder, while the name is oddly long, and certainly a mouthful, this should be the only thing to worry about this amazing video camera.

Sony has been following a rather simple design language for most of their products, and while this video camera may look simple, and boring, it’s the build quality that matters. The overall build quality of this video camera happens to be amazing, with solid materials used all across the board.

The camera shoots at full HD resolution, and while it may not be the best resolution in the market, it’s Sony’s implementation and a combination of hardware/software princess that the camera performs so amazingly when shooting videos. The usual camera modes offered by Sony are all present there, and in great conjunction with the camcorder itself.

There are some basic features like the WiFi missing from this camcorder, but for those who really don’t care about such features, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. Overall, the Sony HD Video Recording HDRCX405 Handycam Camcorder is a really, really good video camera for the price you are paying.

Sure, it’s not offering you advance features like the picture-in-picture, WiFi, or dual recording modes, but the fact that you can record stunning footage in full HD resolution is just an absolute treat. All you really need to do here is add in a speedy memory card, and start shooting videos, that’s how simple the process is.

Pros

Amazing video quality both indoor and outdoor. Signature Sony build quality that lasts the test of time. Good assortment of shooting modes included. Respectable battery life.

Canon VIXIA HF R72

$449.00$259.90Free shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

The Canon VIXIA HF R72 camcorder is something we have been waiting for quite some time, this particular video camera has been on the radar for many videographers for quite some time, and today, we are going to find out whether or not all the wait was worth it.

The HF R72 covers up some of the much needed features in the camcorder, for starters, you’re getting a healthy 32 gigs of internal storage, in addition to that, you’re also getting the built in WiFi, something that a lot of camcorders are normally missing out on.

In addition to that, 3.28-megapixel sensor that is capable of shooting videos at full HD resolution, and for those who are wondering about the relatively low pixel count, we have already stated the common misconception.

With said, for those doubting the recording prowess of this amazing video camera should know that the video camera performs exceptionally well in almost all the lighting cases, and kind of makes us want to start shooting short films using this camera.

No, you’re not getting a DSLR level experience of videos, but what you’re getting is pretty significant, and way better than all the smartphones that ever so popularly can record on 4K.

Another amazing thing about this camcorder is obviously the UI, quite possibly one of the best user interfaces we have seen on a Canon camcorder, and we are pleased to announce that Canon has done an amazing job.

However, not everything is good about this camcorder, for starters, Canon didn’t find time to make changes to the video quality of this camera, as the videos that come out of it still look the same. However, do keep in mind that we are certainly not claiming that the video quality is bad as it happens to be one of the redeeming qualities.

Pros

The video quality remains ever so satisfying. Good construction. Nice and bright screen. Zoom framing assist is a nice feature.

Cons

Even though the video quality is good, it’s not improved over the original.

Mevo – Live Event Camera for iOS devices

$399.00Free shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

We are now looking at something rather new, and intuitive, we are not entirely sure if we should be calling it a camcorder, or a video camera, but it happens to be for the exact purpose. Say hello to Mevo! a rather small livestream camera that can be connected wirelessly to your iPhone in order to capture videos in 4K. How small? Well, it can fit in your palm.

Yes, the video camera is that small, and has premium written all over it. Clearly, the manufacturer was looking at tapping into the iOS market considering how people are a fan of recording videos on their iPhones, this video camera is there to simply make things better.

This tiny video camera basically uses a 4K sensor in order to make sure that the videos that are shot through this camera look like as if they are shot through multiple cameras, however, you should know that that this is all done digitally, the overall effect, however, is quite convincing.

The video camera is controlled using an iOS app that is one of the best made apps we have seen on a mobile phone, and lets you control all the features of the camera including the shooting modes that are present in there.

The video camera also lets you livestream videos onto the website, or even Facebook, however, if that’s not your thing, you can simply save all the videos to the microSD card that goes into the camera.

However, as bold and unique as the project is, there are some small issues, for starters, the battery life is sub-par with video camera maxing out at just 1 hour, there’s no support for Android, and even though the camera is using 4K resolution, the actual quality only looks good when you’re viewing it on a mobile device.

Pros

Some cool features. Respectable enough video quality, but only for mobile devices. Some nice digital features. Small form factor.

Cons

Short battery life. Average video quality when going beyond a mobile screen. No support for Android.

Panasonic HC-V770 HD

$599.99Free shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

We are almost coming close to the end of the list we have created, and right now, we are going to take a look at a really amazing offering from Panasonic known as the HC-V770HD, now a lot of people don’t know, but as the name suggests, this camera actually shoots in full HD, but has some nice features build right into the overall functionality.

With that said, let’s get right into the video camera itself, Panasonic has done a pretty good job designing the HC-V77 HD, it actually looks premium, and holding it is even more fun than you’d normally find in some of the other video cameras.

The VC-V770HD offers an amazing 50x optical zoom, ensuring that people who want to get up close and personal with some of their shooting projects, have the best to work with. The overall video quality remains impressive across all the borders thanks to the amazing 12.76 megapixels BSI CMOS sensor that’s taking care of everything.

Another good thing about this video camera is that Panasonic has gone ahead and put in some really nice features in it including a fully manual mode with a lots of control, and a physical dial that helps you cycle between the modes simply and easily. In addition to that, you’re also getting a pretty decent. IN addition to that, you’re also getting WiFi connectivity, something that should be added in all the video cameras.

Once you will start digging into the features, you will realise there are a handful of shooting modes that are being given by this camera, including a slow-motion mode that lets you capture some amazing slow-motion videos. The only thing that’s lacking from this video camera is obviously the focus ring.

Overall, the Panasonic HC-V77D is a pretty neat HD video camera, and while you can add a little more money and get the bigger brother that has support for 4K video recording, but if you don’t want to go that far, the Panasonic HC-V77D is how things should be.

Pros

Amazing value for your money. Video quality remains amazing even at 1080p. Great set of features including manual controls. Solid build quality.

Sony HDRCX440

Too low to displayFree shipping

as of September 22, 2017 6:44 pm

We understand that some of the cameras in the list are pretty expensive for the beginners, and there are a lot of readers that are looking for a budget camcorder, well, the good thing is that we have just one in our view. Say hello to the Sony HDRCX440B, a very simple, and brilliant video camera that is there to provide you with the best possible experience.

The reason we said budget oriented is because this camera is rather cheap, especially when you are comparing it with some of the other options in the list. While this video camera doesn’t really bring anything innovative to the table, we thought it belongs on the list mainly because how good it is despite being a budget oriented video camera.

The video camera only shoots at 1080p, and doesn’t have any advanced shooting modes like slow motion video, however, do keep in mind that the videos shot through this camera turn out to be pretty amazing. In addition to that amazing video quality, another really good thing about this camera is obviously built really well despite having a low price tag.

The camera provides ease of use, and the LCD, as well as the physical controls just add more in terms of the overall accessibility, the camera also uses a multi camera control feature that helps you take a video from multiple angles whenever the cameras supporting this feature are connected together.

With all the good things aside, finding flaws in this video camera won’t be an easy job considering how the price you are paying for this is relatively low. However, bear in mind, that this video camera is not built for professional work, and will only help the hobbyists the best.

Pros

Fun and easy to use video camera. Pretty good 1080 video results. Multi camera control is definitely a fan favourite. Relatively inexpensive to begin with.

Besteker Portable Digital Video Camcorder HD Max

We are finally on the last product that will be featured on this list, and after that, we will be covering some of the other important things that you should know about camcorders/video cameras. As for the camera, we are looking at right now, it’s from a company called Seree, and the model is HDV-S5.

Now the important thing about these unknown companies is that we are not really provided with a lot of details, and scouring the internet in order to find some useful information normally goes in vain. Similarly, we experienced it with this video camera too.

Now the video camera claims to have a 24-megapixel resolution, and that is something very huge, even though it’s just a camcorder made for shooting videos and nothing more.

However, after recording some videos, we can attest that the videos do come out nicely, and while it may not be as good as some of the other competitors in the list, the sheer difference of the price makes up for it.

The features include some usual fun to use, but impractical shooting modes, support for SD cards, as well as a nicely built, compact body. However, do keep in mind that this is a video camera strictly made for people who are either on a budget, or just want to test something for the sake of it

There is absolutely nothing groundbreaking about the video camera itself, and while that may put some users off, do keep in mind that whatever it is offering in the price you’re paying for it is actually more than enough.

While our short term experience went relatively well with this video camera, we can’t guarantee how the long term experience will be, and whether or not the video camera will survive the test of time.

Just keep in mind that if you’re spending money on it just because you’re short on money, then go ahead. If not, then pitch in some extra, and buy something better.

The Seree HDV-301 is an incredible value, costing not even a tenth of many other options while still providing 1080p video captured in a traditional hand-held style body. However, the video quality is low and compresses poorly.

The Sony HDRCX405 is perfect for budding moviemakers on a budget. The camera has steady shot stabilization and boasts an impressive 30x optical zoom. Its built-in USB connection means easy file transfers and charging without having to search for a cable.

The Panasonic HC-V380K is the perfect option for parents who want to film their kids playing sports in HD. No matter how far away you are, the 90x zoom and light frame allow you to capture every moment, with a comfortable grip and a long-lasting battery.

Incredible 60 FPS video in 1080p comes easy with the Canon Vixia HF R72 as it practically creates the video for you with image stabilization, shake correction, and smooth zoom. It ships with built-in memory, but is expandable via SD cards for up to 96 hours of video.

If you want to record in 4K resolution, check out the Sony FDRAX33, which features everything from a 5.1 channel surround-sound microphone to NFC2 support for the latest in device connectivity. It also automatically creates highlight clips for you, for easy sharing.

The Canon VIXIA HF R700 is the ideal companion for any special occasion, for shooting B roll on location, or for simply capturing everyday family moments with crystal clarity. It has a full HD CMOS image sensor and a high-capacity battery for long days.

The Panasonic HC-V770 provides excellent flexibility with 1080p and 4K options, modern HDR video, and a BSI sensor for noise suppression. Beyond all of its advanced features, it retains an easy to use interface for simply creating and sharing great video.

The prosumer will want the Canon Vixia HF G40 which provides uncompromised video quality at a high price. While it doesn’t shoot 4K, it does have the latest optical and image processing technology to deliver cinematic quality video every time.

The future-proof Sony FDRAX53/B shoots in brilliant 4K using some of Sony’s most advanced optics to date. With rapid hardware autofocus and image stabilization, it also makes choppy home video a thing of the past while creating UHD video that will last for years to come.

automatic wind noise removal

beautiful still image capability

syncs with ios and android devices

Brand

Sony

Model

FDRAX53/B

Weight

2.5 pounds

Rating

4.7 / 5.0

From VHS Tapes To Memory Cards

Cheapest Action Cameras to Buy Under $100

This cute 35 mm (1.4 inches) cube shaped camera with 10m waterproof case is fit for all your adventure video shooting needs while finely WiFi sync via the Cube+ app and a range of powerful tools allows you to monitor and control the operations via iOS and Android screen devices. Great for taking time-lapse videos, the camera can take up to 100 shots at 10fps.

2. YI Action Camera- $99.99

The YI Action Camera is a great possession for professionals to capture sporting events with a documentary style. The 40m extra-shield waterproofing is best option for capturing awesome underwater sequences. The camera supports MP4 and H.264JPEG media file formats on various storage devices, including MicroSD/HC/XC capacity of up to 64 GB. Featuring various connectivity options, the users can use Bluetooth, micro B USB, Wifi, HDMI, or the app to access the videos.

3. Amkov AMK7000S- $99.99

Featuring heat dissipating and shock resistant zinc alloy steel body with the Sunplus 6350M chipset, this 12MP camera is suitable for long duration shooting with extended 1150mAh battery. The camera has a wide range of specialties such as the anti-shake technology, loop recording and adjustment option like burst mode. You can view the notification on the front screen and video display at the 2” back LCD screen.

Key Features and Specifications

Chipset: Sunplus 6350M

Display: 2” back LCD screen

Battery: 1150mAh (90mins recording)

Memory Storage Support: TF Card up to 32GB (not included in the package)

4. Elephone Explorer- $69.99

This is a budget friendly option for novice photographers trying their hands on the action cameras. There is a 2” LCD monitor as well Wifi connectivity facility to see your recording on Android and iOS screen devices.

Key Features and Specifications

Image Sensor: AptinaAR0330 Sensor

Battery: 900mAh (90 minutes)

Memory Storage Support: MicroSD/Micro SDHC(up to 32GB)

Lens: 170° wide view angle

Video Resolution: 4K@15fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@30/60/fps

Media Format: MP4, H.264JPEG

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, HDMI, Micro USB, APP

Waterproof: 30m (with case)

5. SJCAM SJ4000: 1080p- $67.10

This is a multi-purpose camera to fulfill your needs at various situations. The HDMI connectivity allows using this small device as web camera to chat online and perform several other actions. In addition to these, the waterproofing allows the users to carry this lightweight device even for adventure sports.

6. EKEN H9 – $59.99

This low cost action camera is superb for basic photography and video recording tasks. With a standard Sunplus 6350 chipset and 2” LCD screen, it becomes very easy to shoot your videos while monitoring them throughout.

Key Features and Specifications

Image Sensor: OV4689 CMOS

Battery: 1050mAh (1080p30/1.5 hours, 4K25/1080p60 50 mins)

Memory Storage Support: Micro SDHC card

Lens: 170° wide view angle

Video Resolution: 4K@15fps 1080p@60/30fps, 720p@60/120fps slow-motion

Media Format: mov H.264; JPEG

Connectivity: Micro USB, HDMI

Waterproof: 30m (with case)

While GoPro is widely recognized for unmatched qualities, advanced technological specifications, adaptation to accessories, and durability, several new cameras selling at a price range of below $100 are slowly emerging as key market competitors. At all circumstances, the customers are at a greater advantage of choosing simply the best.

The above mentioned list of the top 6 cheapest cameras under $100 is based on the features, performance and recommendations of professional photography veterans. If you have user experience with any other camera in this price range that deserve to be in this list, please feel free to share your views in the comment section below.

To understand how camcorders work on the inside, we need to go back about 150 years to the work of an English photographer named Eadweard Muybridge. Born in 1830, started working as a still photographer in 1861. In 1867, he became internationally famous for his shots of Yosemite Valley and a decade later developed a keen interest in animal locomotion.

Decades before the first cartoon and the use of celluloid in the filming of motion pictures, Muybridge proposed that a collection of still photographs could be show in rapid succession to illustrate the natural movement of animals, people, and even machines.

It was Muybridge’s discovery that eventually led to the invention of the chronophotographic gun by Étienne-Jules Marey in 1882. Capable of taking 12 consecutive frames per second, Marey’s gun was the second major step toward a science of cinematography.

And to think that we are now able to film grand epics such as The Hobbit in 48 frames per second and play video games at 60 frames per second. But that is all made possible by digital technology, which is quite different from the analog technology behind Marey’s gun and those old, bulky VHS cameras from the 1980’s.

In fact, the only thing analog and digital camcorders have in common anymore are the lenses. What once housed cassette tapes and compact VCRs, now houses microchips and memory cards.

Using Firewire, you can now plug your camcorder directly into your computer, upload all of the data to your hard drive, and begin the editing process immediately. You don’t need scissors and glue to cut and paste. And projectionists at the local theater can spend more time browsing the internet on their smartphones without having to worry about keeping an eye out for “cigarette burns” in the corner of the screen. Indeed, they can even use their smartphones to make movies of themselves at the movies.

We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat

Before purchasing a new camcorder, there’s a few things you’re definitely going to want to consider.

What are you filming?

Are you making YouTube videos mainly featuring your face?

Or filming a friend’s wedding reception so you can laugh later at how drunk everyone was?

Then you probably don’t need that HD camera you’ve been drooling over. Especially if you’re going to be filming all day, that HD footage will chew through your memory card in less than an hour, as you can see by this nice little chart SanDisk put together showing how quickly your memory card will fill up if you film in HD.

Also, how much editing will you be doing?

If you insist on film in HD, you definitely want to think about whether or not you will want to edit your footage. If you’re looking to make a movie with some friends, you’re going to need a lot more than just a camcorder.

To edit HD footage, you’re going to need a desktop computer with at least a dual-core processor and 8GB of RAM. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending all of your editing time just waiting for the file to load, assuming of course you actually managed to install your editing software to begin with.

There’s no sense in recording all that footage if you can’t do anything with it after the fact.

After all, you can’t hunt Jaws with a fishing boat.

The Evolution Of The Modern Camcorder

It’s astonishing how today’s camcorders seem so technological advanced than their predecessors. And they are, in so many ways.

Today, you can record your cat jumping on the neighbor’s trampoline, upload it to your computer, slap on a Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack, and share it with the world in as little as twenty minutes.

Remember when you used to go over to Grandma’s house, so Uncle Bill could prop up the projector, load in his 8MM film, and show the family his grainy Niagara Falls footage? Of course you don’t remember. Unless you’re in the Generation X family.

If you’re a Millennial, pre-1990s mind you, maybe your family had an RCA Camcorder that weighed as much as your six year old self. Lest I forget they recorded onto VHS. Good luck editing that on your Windows 98.

Even prior to all of the that, home users started recording on to 8MM film, which entailed loading the film in the small camera by threading it through without exposing the film. Once the film was used, you had to rewind it, and send it off to be developed.

If you wanted to edit your footage, then hopefully you had some scissors and tape on hand. Mind you there was no sound recorded either. We’re talking mid-1930s here. I’m still confused when people refer to this era as “simpler times”.

In the 1960s, Super-8 film hit the market as a more user friendly step up from the 8MM that didn’t require threading the film. Not to be confused with this Super 8, or this one either.

In the 1970s, VHS (Video Home System) made a splash on to the scene, which popularized drastically well into the 80s and 90s.

At the turn of the millennium Mini DVs came around, which required a VHS converter.

Then at last, arrived the good ole memory card in the early 2000s. Actually, they appeared as early as 1995, but only offered 128MB of storage, which is utterly laughable now.

But even with all this history, we’ve barely scratched the surface. In between each of these inventions lies another camcorder that never popularized, or was secluded to the big filmmakers.

You may look at it and just see a camera, but maybe now that its years of evolution has been presented to you, you’ll get a better understanding of them, and a greater appreciation. That being said, dear reader, happy shopping.

Best 4K Camcorders Buyer’s Guide:

Things to Avoid in a Camcorder

Now that we have explored almost all the good video cameras/camcorders available in the market, we are going to take a look at some informational stuff that you should be paying more attention to.

Using a camcorder isn’t all that difficult, even the most advanced ones take some time getting used to, however, it’s all about how well you are looking forward to use the camera.

If you’re really interested in learning the curves of a device, you’ll need to make a proper dedication towards it.

Sadly, some people don’t really pay much attention to the camcorder at all, and simply think it is easy to use in order to create the best possible videos.

Today, we will be looking at some of the things you should be avoiding at all costs in a camcorder, these things normally contain the things most people go for when buying a camcorder, and how it shouldn’t be happening.

So, without further ado, let’s take a looks.

Megapixels Don’t Matter

While megapixels do make a lot of difference in point and shoot cameras, or DSLR cameras, when it comes to camcorders/video cameras, there isn’t a lot of difference to make. That’s mainly because the sensor will only shoot a video at the effective resolution that the camera has.

For starters, if some online gimmick tells you that your camera can shoot videos at 1080p only, and then goes on to tell you that the camera has 25-megapixels, you should know that your video will be shot at a megapixel count that’s the equivalent of the resolution you’re shooting that.

That means a 1080p video will basically only have an effective megapixel count of 2.1-megapixel. That’s something you should know about.

The Compact the Better

Do you know what term is used for camcorder apart from video camera? A Handycam, this literally means that the camera is built to be handheld so it can give you enough freedom to move around and use it easily.

However, most people usually get confused and end up buying incredibly bulky camcorders, and while they may be packed with all the right features, your shooting experience will be suffering a lot, mainly because you’re not able to properly handle the video camera to begin with.

Key Indicators of a Good Camcorder

Buying a camcorder isn’t all that difficult, all you need is some amount of proper knowledge, and enough budget to go out in the market and buy a good video camera/camcorder.

However, the most common issue with the modern day camcorders is that there is little room left for innovation, that is basically leading several companies into creating products that are a lot similar to each other with little to no difference.

Right now, we are writing this to help out some of the readers who are looking out for some of the most needed features of a good camcorder.

Manual Controls

One really important thing of a good camcorder is the presence of the manual controls, if you thought that the manual controls would be necessary for you to look for in DSLR or point and shoot cameras only, then think again. After all, it’s always better to have controls on your camera than using the controls on the screen.

Lens/Sensor

When it comes to video cameras, or cameras in general, one of the most important factor you need to consider is the lens and the sensor, when buying a video camera, make sure that the lens is wide, and the sensor is large.

A wide lens will allow you to have more content for your videos, and the larger sensor will allow the camera to perform better in the low light.

Viewfinder

Another important thing you should be looking at in a camcorder is the viewfinder, and for those who don’t know, a viewfinder is basically a place on the camera through which you look around, compose, and in most cases, focus as well.

Most Important Camcorder Features

There ae a lot of things that one should be considering when buying a camcorder, for starters, you need to make sure that you are well prepared to go through heaps of available products in the market, and once that’s done, you will need to decide the one that you want.

Before you go ahead and buy the camcorder, it would be best if you go through some of the most important camcorder features, because having them basically means that the purchase you are making is actually worth it, and you won’t be wasting your money on something that won’t be worthy enough.

A Built-In Viewfinder

As the technology is progressing, more and more companies are getting rid of built-in viewfinders in the favour of the LCDs, and while the cameras that have both exist too, coming across them is a bit hard. A view finder is basically there in order to help you look at what you’re capturing, bear in mind that while you can see all the same in LCDs as well, the experience is different, and less different.

For instance, viewing on LCD can basically be impacted by the sunlight or some other reason, while the viewfinder experience remains as true as possible.

Optical Zoom

There is actually a huge amount of difference between optical and digital zoom, and while digital zoom is just basically simulating the effects of zooming in, the optical zoom works in conjunction with the lens going forward and backward when zoomed in or zoomed out.

Overall, this feature is something that is a must in any camcorder, and without it, the camcorder would simply be incomplete. So, do make sure that whenever you’re buying a camcorder, this feature is a must.

Image Stabilization

The image stabilization basically does what it says, it’s there to make sure that even if you have shaky hands, or you’re making a video on the move, the video stays stable, this feature is largely present in the phones as well, and it’s known as optical image stabilization.

Much like the zooming factor, there’s optical image stabilization, and then there’s electronic image stabilization, what you need to know is that the optical image stabilization is done through the hardware, and the electronic is simply software based, something that isn’t as good.

When buying a camcorder or a video camera if you like to call it that. Make sure the optical image stabilization is present.

Factors to Consider When Buying Your Action or Sports Camera

Those who are novice to the concept of motion video and photography should consider the following aspects seriously while choosing their action camera.

Cost of the Camera: Your budget determines the actual range while looking for the action cameras. Ideally, it can be hard to find a GoPro under $100. Even a basic model is priced at $130. While preparing a budget, you must also consider a checklist of supportive accessories and their prices.

Supportive Accessories: Though the manufacturers provide some basic gears such as waterproof housing with the camera, it is always necessary to purchase the most compatible high quality accessories that fit your camera best. Some basic requirements include mounts, tripods, filters, extended life batteries etc.

Camera Specifications and Features: At the end of the day, your picture or video quality is the main thing that matters. Decide what quality picture resolution or video shooting do you intend to achieve. Consider choosing highest pixel for photos and 4k resolution for best results with final edited video.

Weather Resistance Protection: Your action camera is exposed to moisture and fluctuating temperatures often. Your camera should have a waterproof housing or water resistant protection support to ensure greater durability.

Which is Best 4K Camcorder of 2018 for You?

best budget action camera 2018-19 under 100

Now that everything is out of the way, we are going to discuss which camcorder is actually nice for you. After going over a list of amazing products, finding the best 4K camcorder wasn’t really difficult, to begin with.

Simply put, the best 4K camcorder/video camera of 2018 is the Canon VIXIA HF R700 Camcorder, and there are quite a lot of reasons behind that. Now we know that the camcorder isn’t offering anything beyond 1080p, but it’s all about the performance it provides, as well as the amazing 57x optical zoom that can work wonders in almost all the shooting situations.

Overall, the camera is perfect despite lacking something as simple as WiFi connectivity, but there are chances most people won’t even worry.